If he SHALL gain the whole world,

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Teleostomi

#258762 Thu, 24 Aug 06 09:12 AM

This is from the Gospel according to Matthew;

What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

What does "shall" exactly mean?

Teleostomi

Joined on Sat, Jun 10 2006

Regular Member (557)

Mister Micawber

#258875 Thu, 24 Aug 06 03:32 PM

Will-future. Used in the 3rd person, it is called 'archaic prophetic utterance' Beware of Biblical grammar as a model for anything other than Biblical grammar, Teleostomi.

Mister Micawber

Joined on Wed, Aug 4 2004

Yokohama

Veteran Member (22,347)

'The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master-- that's all.'

Grammar

shall and will
all/the whole
GAIN
all/whole

A WHOLE LOT
"Shall" and "profited"
Inseparable whole
Why can't I use 'whole stranger' instead...

a world
He has the world by the tail
Will or shall
world

Teleostomi

#259089 Fri, 25 Aug 06 05:40 AM

Mr Mic, you're always there for me!

Teleostomi